Last Series Recaps - Facing one of the top offenses in the region, Justice Yamashita imposed his will all night long. The sophomore was nearly unhittable, tossing his first complete game shutout as the Saints split the pair against Northwest Nazarene on Friday.
The afternoon began with the Nighthawks' offense showing what it was capable of, scoring 15 runs over the first nine innings. Despite home runs from Michael Yamaguchi and Aaron Renaud, and RBI hits from Ryne Oshiro and Griffin Williams, the Saints were unable to catch up to early deficit, falling 15-6.
However, the script completely flipped in the second game with Yamashita on the mound. After retiring the Nighthawks in order in the first, the Saints got the only run needed in the second inning.
Cody Chavis led off the frame with single and made it over to second on a passed ball. After a strikeout, singles from Chayson Dulatre, and Drew Forgione loaded the bases up with one out. It was not a hit, but a wild pitch that allowed Chavis to score for SMU to take the 1-0 lead.
A 1-0 lead that held for the rest of the game. Yamashita worked out of a jam in the second with two runners on with back-to-back punch outs. After a quiet third, Yamashita stranded another two runners with a clutch fly out. Northwest Nazarene left another pair of runners on the bases in the fifth and went down 1-2-3 in the sixth.
Needing three more outs to complete the game, Yamashita struck out the first batter in the seventh before a single. The righty finished the game with a groundball, resulting in a double play to put away the Nighthawks 1-0.
Following the series split on Friday, the Saints' baseball team lost game three and four of their series against the Nighthawks on Saturday.
In the first game of the day, the Saints (6-15, 1-3 GNAC) struck first with two runs in the top of the second inning off a double by Chayson Dulatre that brought home Cody Chavis and Reid Little.
The Nighthawks (14-10, 6-2 GNAC) offense responded with a run in the fourth inning and a two-run homerun in the sixth inning to give them a 3-2 win.
In the second game of the day, the Saints struck first again, this time it was Mark Steward who found a gap to bring home Ryne Oshiro in the first inning of play.
NNU's bats got hot in the fourth inning scoring two runs to take the lead and four more runs in the sixth inning to expand their lead. Jonathan Shimabukuro homered to spark some life into a late rally attempt by the Saints but Northwest Nazarene weathered the storm and came out with a 6-2 win over SMU.
Yamashita Named GNAC Pitcher of the Week - Justice Yamashita silenced the Nighthawks bats, throwing a complete game shutout to earn the GNAC's baseball pitcher of the week. Over seven innings, Yamashita allowed only three hits, while punching out six and recording his first shutout of his career.
Saints' Baseball Voted 5th In GNAC Preseason Poll - With a core of their bats returning in 2022, along with a pitching staff eager to prove itself, the Saints were selected fifth in the GNAC Preseason Coaches' Poll on Friday.
Earning four of the five first place votes, Northwest Nazarene was selected as the preseason favorite with 24 points. Western Oregon followed up in second with 19 points, then Central Washington with one first place vote at 15. Montana State Billings, and Saint Martin's rounded out the poll with 10 and seven points respectively.
The Saints will be led by All-Conference bats Aaron Renaud, catchers Bryant Nakagawa and Mark Steward, and outfielder Cody Chavis. Renaud, an honorable mention led the offense with seven home runs, and 17 RBIs with a .315 batting average. In 37 games, Renaud slugged .597 along with a .399 on-base percentage and scored 23 runs.
Nakagawa earned a second team All-Conference selection after collecting a .460 on-base percentage in 23 games. However, Nakagawa proved to be lethal at throwing out would be baserunners, catching eight of 13 attempts. Also, he posted his second straight perfect fielding percentage season, with 65 putouts, and 12 assists.
Freshman catcher/designated hitter Mark Steward quickly made an impact, leading the Saints in batting average at .383, along with two home runs, and 12 RBIs. Steward slugged .521 along with a remarkable .448 on-base percentage.
Centerfielder Cody Chavis was named honorable mention with his .272 season along with one home run, and 15 RBIs. Chavis started all 38 games he saw action in, and managed seven doubles, two triples, and 20 runs scored.
Saint Martin's must replace all-time strikeout leader Tanner Inouye, who was named to three GNAC All-Conference teams in his career. All-Conference honorable mention Zach Alcos looks to lead the young but talented Saints' staff. In nine games, making four starts, Alcos recorded 22 strikeouts in 27 innings along with a 5.33 ERA.
The Saints return five of the top six pitchers who recorded the most innings last season. Cole Hatton was second on the team with 44 innings pitched, along with lefty Ryan Ancheta at 34 innings of work. Finnley Butler posted the team's lowest ERA at 5.29 in 32.1 innings. Justice Yamashita and Troy McCormick also look to step up on the mound with a combined 51 innings of work last season.
Other notable returners in 2022 include infielders Ryne Oshiro, Ty Matsunami, and Braeden McNally, along with outfielders Austin Schaler, Griffin Williams, and Reid Little. Utility players like Dakota Hill, Cody Isa, and Hunter Kosmider provide depth for the Saints.
Saint Martin's welcomes eight new players to the roster in 2022 including senior transfer Brock Wrolstad from Missouri Western State, and sophomore transfer Jonathan Shimabukuro from Edmonds CC. The Saints feature six freshmen on the roster in Colin Driscoll from West Linn, Oregon, DJ Akiyama from Aiea, Hawaii, and Hunter Sasaki from Mililani, Hawaii. Along with Kameron Richards from Lacey, Washington, Aaron Nease from Salem, Oregon, and Sam McCauley from Baker City, Oregon.
